Pakistan successfully test fires Hatf III missile

Pakistan on Monday conducted a successful traininglaunch of Short Range Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile Hatf III (Ghaznavi), whichcan carry nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 290 kilometers, said anofficial press release.According to a press release by media wing of Pakistan military Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR), the successful launch concluded the Field Training Exercise ofStrategic Missile Group of Army Strategic Forces Command. The Chairman JointChiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Rashad Mahmood and other seniormilitary officials and scientists witnessed the Training Launch.The CJCSC while addressing the troops in the area commended the troops onachieving technical and operational excellence in operating the state of the artweapon system.He expressed his satisfaction over the training goals achieved during the exerciseand expected that the officers and men entrusted with the task of deterringaggression would continue to maintain professional excellence.General Mahmood also congratulated all the Scientists and Engineers for thesuccessful launch of Ghaznavi Missile, as another mile stone which has furtherstrengthened the defense potential of Pakistan besides assuring peace in the region,said ISPR release.President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif warmlyappreciated the achievement and congratulated the participating troops, scientistsand engineers on their outstanding performance.